Olympic Skier Sara Renner, Sponsored by McElhanney, Earns Place on Most Influential List

Sara Renner, three-time Olympian and contender for the 2010 Winter Games, has been named on the 2007 list of the Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity.

The Most Influential list is compiled by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS), which recognizes women who have made a significant impact in the world of sports. This year’s listing is a solid reflection of current achievements throughout Canada, as we prepare to host the 2010 Winter Games.

Sara’s many achievements include earning a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, smashing records during a triumphant 2005-2006 season with four World Cup medals, including a Team Sprint event in her hometown of Canmore, Alberta, and bringing home Canada’s first ever medal at the 2005 World Nordic Ski Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany. She is also a ten-year veteran of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team.

McElhanney is a proud sponsor of Sara as she trains in her quest for the Gold, and receiving financial funding from McElhanney’s 2010 Centennial Program helps to maintain her rigorous training schedule.

McElhanney-sponsored Paralympian Speaks Out on Medal Award Controversy

Matt Hallat, a member of the Canadian Disabled Alpine Ski Team, was quoted in a recent National Post article titled "No cash for medals for Paralympic athletes" -- View National Post Article. Although disappointed that he and his teammates would not have access to the money-for-medals program, he acknowledged the financial support of McElhanney and other official organizations and concluded by saying "It is the best that it has ever been".

Shauna Goertzen - Recipient of the Aurora Award of Distinction for 2007

Recently Shauna Goertzen of the Fort St. John Branch was the recipient of the Aurora Award of Distinction for 2007 in the Oil and Gas category. This award is given to the woman in northeast British Columbia who best demonstrates outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas: leadership in her field, mentoring and support of women, business achievement, innovation and the championing of ideas.

Other than her regular duties for McElhanney, which include being a successful Project Supervisor and Safety Coordinator, Shauna is involved in other endeavors. She participates on numerous professional committees for McElhanney including the BCLS Wellsite Committee and the Career Awareness Committee. She is on the Executive of the Northern Group of the Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors and she represented the Association at the University of Calgary Career Fair. She has traveled to Calgary to give presentations to the University of Calgary's Geomatics program to encourage women to enter the surveying profession. Locally Shauna is on the North Peace Secondary School Career Program Steering Committee.

Shauna is featured in the 2006 book by Katherine Gordon "Made to Measure" which chronicles the history of Land Surveying in British Columbia. Among other mentions in the book is the fact that in 2005 Shauna became only the third female in the over 100 year history of the Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors to qualify as a BCLS.

Shauna has just recently qualified to receive her commission as a Canada Land Surveyor (CLS).

McElhanney receives further recognition of contributions to the Trans Canada Trail

In May 2007, McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. was chosen to receive a Certificate of Nomination in appreciation of our outstanding commitment and contribution to the Trail (click here to learn more).This Certificate was presented to McElhanney by the Wild Rose Foundation and Tourism, Parks Recreation and Culture and was accompanied by a letter that read, in part:

"Although McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. was not chosen to receive an award for the year 2007, the selection committee felt your community involvement was outstanding and therefore should be acknowledged.  Please find attached a Certificate of Nomination as a tribute to your ongoing community building efforts."

This is the second time that such a certificate has been awarded to McElhanney.

McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. is pleased to announce it has joined the Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving. The Coalition is a group of companies and organizations who are committed to reducing cellphone use while driving. The Coalition was formed in 2005 by a group of graduate students at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health and is led by Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, based in Alberta.

The Coalition’s work includes public awareness and education related to driver distraction, including the use of cellphones and other electronic devices. According to the Coalition for Cellphone Free Driving, talking on a cellphone increases the risk of a motor vehicle collision four to six times, whether the cellphone is handheld or hands-free. The Coalition is currently working on several projects including production of an educational video on the risks of driving and using a cellphone.

McElhanney is committed to creating and maintaining a safe work environment for our employees, sub-contractors and clients. McElhanney prohibits the use of any wireless device – handheld or hands-free – while operating a vehicle while on company business. This policy was developed out of concern for the safety and protection of our employees, their families and other drivers on the road.

For more information on the Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving or to become a Member or Supporter visit: http://www.cellphonefreedriving.com/

In an effort to reinforce its commitment to safety and safe work practices, McElhanney Land Surveys recently implemented a Wireless Devices Policy, prohibiting McElhanney employees and subcontractors from using any wireless device while operating any vehicle, while on duty.

Statistics show that use of wireless devices (mobile phones, two-way radios, pagers, GPS, PDAs, etc.) while operating a vehicle cause distraction, prevent operator concentration, and prevent safe vehicle operation. As a 2005 Work Safe Alberta Award recipient, McElhanney Land Surveys is a demonstrated safety leader and strives to work with all its stakeholders to enhance health, safety and environmental performance. We are constantly reviewing and updating our policies to reflect best safety practices. To protect our employees and subcontractors from personal injury, and to protect the public and other motorists, McElhanney has chosen to incorporate this policy into our overall HS&smp;E program.

Although your McElhanney representative will be unavailable to respond to your request while driving, we don’t anticipate any reduction in the quality of service you have come to expect of McElhanney. Representatives will regularly check messages when it is safe to do so, or if preset in the vehicle, another crew member may respond to the wireless device. You can facilitate our response to your needs by utilizing McElhanney’s voice and email services. Thank you for your support and understanding as we implement this important new safety policy.

Questions, comments or concerns about the policy may be directed to your McElhanney representative.

Left to Right: Bruce Winton, Vice President MLSL, Sara Renner, Chris Newcomb, President MCSL.

We are pleased to announce our sponsorship of 2006 Olympic Silver Medallist Sara Renner in her quest for Gold in the 2010 Games. Sara, in addition to Paralympic Athlete Matthew Hallat, will receive financial funding as part of McElhanney’s 2010 Centennial Program.

Sara is a 10 year veteran of the Canadian Cross Country Ski Team. She is a three-time Olympian who sprinted to a silver medal in the team event at the 2006 Winter Olympics Turin, Italy.

There were many notable placings leading to the silver in Turin. In 2005, Sara earned Canada's first ever medal at the World Nordic Ski Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany with her bronze-medal finish in the individual sprint. In the following season, Sara also won 4 World Cup medals including a silver in front of a roaring hometown crowd in Canmore in the Team Sprint event.

This Golden Girl (born in Golden, BC) is currently taking a year off to start a family with husband Thomas Grandi, also an Olympian and leader of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. They live and train in Canmore, Alberta and are expecting their first child in February. Sara is very excited about being a new mom and confident that her new arrival will bring a balance to her life when she continues to pursue her dream to represent our nation and leading the Canadian Ski Team to deliver podium-level performance in 2010.

Learn more about our Golden Girl at www.grandi.ca and her thank you note to McElhanney.

Welcome to our McElhanney Family, Sara! And our very best to you and yours in 2007.

Left to Right: Chamber President Bruce
Lantz and Branch Manager Walter Johnson

At McElhanney, our office and field staff are always working to serve you better, providing reliable and innovative surveying and mapping services to the resource industry. Thank you to our clients and customers for their continued loyalty to our company, and to the voters who showed their appreciation for our staff in this year's Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce People's Choice Awards.

McElhanney is proud to extend financial support over the next 3.5 years to a world class Athlete vying for a spot on the podium at the 2010 Paralympics.

Matt Hallat was born in Vancouver in 1984. He lost his right leg to cancer just before his sixth birthday, but was skiing by eight. He is now living and training in Whistler towards his lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic Champion.

The first race for Matt was when he was 12 years old and he has been a serious contender ever since. He has been a member of the Canadian Disabled Alpine Ski Team over the past 4 years and his first breakthrough came at the 2003 Canadian Disabled Alpine Ski Championships in Kimberley, BC, where he ranked 1st in SL (Slalom).

His other achievements since include:

• 2005 Canadian Disabled Alpine Ski Championshps at Sunshine, Banff
• 1^st in SG (Super Giant Slalom)
• 1^st SL (Slalom)
• 1^st GS (Giant Slalom)
• 2^nd DH (Downhill)
• 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy (1st Paralympic Games for Matt)
• 31^st in SL
• 32^nd in GS
• 37^th in SG
• 1^st at Nor-Am SL and GS in Whistler, BC
• 10^th at World Cup SL in Shiga Kogen, Japan
• 11^th in World Cup SG and 12th in SL in Pyeong Chang, South Korea

For those of you who do not ski, maybe you could challenge Matt at the golf course; he is an avid golfer with a 6 handicap - not bad for a person who spends most of his time skiing all over the world!

We are certain that we will see a lot more of this outstanding athlete who shares our passion for excellence in our endeavours.

Welcome to the McElhanney Family, Matt!

Read more about Matt at www.matthallat.com (still undergoing construction)
You can also email him at matty_goneskiing@hotmail.com

DISCIPLINES

Downhill: Skiers are timed as they race down a long, steep course that may include turns and jumps. They must pass through a relatively few number of gates that are used as checkpoints. The penalty for missing a gate is disqualification. Each athlete is allowed only one run down the course and athletes' times determine the order of finish.

Slalom: The Slalom is a technical event. The course is shorter than other Alpine Skiing events with a high number of gates (55-75 gates on a men's course and 40-60 on a women's course) that the athletes must negotiate. The penalty for missing a gate is disqualification. Each athlete completes two runs on the same day on different courses. Times from the two courses are added to determine the order of finish.

Giant Slalom: The Giant Slalom is also a technical event. In comparison to the Slalom, the course is longer, there are fewer turns, and the turns are wider and smoother. The number of gates is determined by the vertical drop and the penalty for missing a gate is disqualification. Each athlete completes two runs on the same day on different courses. Times from the two courses are added to determine order of finish.

Super Giant Slalom (Super-G): The Super-G is a speed event. The course is shorter than Downhill but longer than Giant Slalom and Slalom. The number of gates is determined by the vertical drop, with a minimum of 35 direction changes for men and 30 for women. Gates are set at least 25m apart and the penalty for missing a gate is disqualification. Each athlete is allowed only one run down the course. Athletes' times determine the order of finish.

The University of Calgary has recently advised us that Ms. Rebecca McKillop Broten of Calgary has been selected as this year's recipient of the McElhanney Scholarship. This award, jointly sponsored by McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. and McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd., is valued at $2,500.00.

McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. – One of Alberta 's Best Safety Performers in 2005

McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. was selected for the Work Safe Alberta 2005 Best Safety Performer Awards. This designation was awarded for exceptional performance in workplace health and safety in Alberta .

Of Alberta 's 128,000 employers, approximately 350 companies earned this award.

The criteria necessary to be named a Best Safety Performer includes:

• Achieved at least 120 consecutive person years with no lost-time injuries.
• No workplace-related fatalities in the previous three years.
• An Alberta WCB account and hold a current Certificate of Recognition under the Alberta Partnerships in Health and Safety program.
• No outstanding compliance orders under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and are not currently being prosecuted for a violation.

“All McElhanney employees should take great pride in their commitment in helping to create a safe and healthy work environment and establish McElhanney as a safety leader”, said the Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Darrell Florence. “This prestigious recognition is a milestone of the hard work and dedication employees have made to health and safety over the years.”

For more information, visit Alberta Workplace Health and Safety's website – www.worksafely.org

O’Brian Blackall, President of McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. is pleased to announce the following appointments:

• Bruce Winton, ALS, formerly manager of the company’s Edmonton Branch, will assume the position of Vice-President Operations. Bruce has been with McElhanney for 30 years and has been responsible for the petroleum and land surveys conducted from the Edmonton office for much of that time. As Chairman of the company’s first Safety Committee, he was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the excellent workplace health and safety management system now in place; and he has served as a Director of the company for many years. In this new role Bruce will be responsible for a range of activities associated with the company’s key strategic corporate objectives.

• Craig McBride, ALS, CLS, has been appointed manager of the company’s Edmonton Branch. Craig joined McElhanney in 1984 as a member of our Lloydminster Branch. In 1986 he moved to Edmonton Branch where he received his ALS in 1997 followed by his CLS in 2002. Currently Craig is GIS/IT Manager, a position he has held since 2002. In addition to his operational responsibilities Craig is member of the MLSL Holdings Board of Directors, Chair, MLSL GIS/GPS Committee, alternating Chair, MLSL/MCSL JIS Committee as well as being a member of the MLSL BMAG and MAG. He also represents the company on a number of external committees. As Branch Manager he will be responsible for the management, development, and profitable operation of the Edmonton Branch.

• Steve Yanish, ALS has been appointed Assistant Branch Manager of the Edmonton Branch. Steve has during his 28 years of surveying experience held a number of increasingly senior positions since joining the Edmonton Branch in 1981. Among his many accomplishments he has been instrumental in growing our presence with oil sands clients, and in particular the Suncor Firebag project. As well he has represented the Company on various committees since 1990. Steve has also served as a Council Member for the Alberta Land Surveyors Association. In his role as Assistant Branch Manager Steve will work closely with Craig in a strategic and operational capacity. In addition, he will continue to play a leading role in the management of relationships with oil sands clients.

• Craig Hughes, ALS has been appointed Assistant Branch Manager of the Calgary Branch. Craig joined McElhanney in 1996 as a Senior Party Chief. Since that time he has held a number of increasingly senior positions within the Branch. As a Project Manager he successfully planned and managed oilfield survey projects throughout Alberta. In addition to his operational responsibilities Craig has been a member of the Corporate Safety Committee assisting in implementing new safety policies for the company.

For the second consecutive year, McElhanney has participated in Safety Stand Down Week. Safety Stand Down Week, an annual oil and gas industry initiative, is a coming together of Senior Executives and Front-Line workers. It is an opportunity for visiting worksites and discussing health and safety issues with workers.

Between January 9th and 13th of 2006, O'Brian Blackall, President of McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. and Darrell Florence, McElhanney's Manager, Health, Safety & Environment, traveled to all 6 of McElhanney's branches and to Suncor's 'Firebag' site north of Fort McMurray, AB. Over the course of the entire week, they met with nearly 300 employees to discuss health and safety at work and at home and listen to what workers had to say as far as what we need to do to improve. Workers were given the opportunity to "Give the boss a pink slip". A pink slip was used to offer written comments and suggestions on safety to senior executives.

"I am asking that all of you 'Stand Up For Safety' this year so that you and your families will enjoy and benefit from you 'Realizing Your Potential'! Our goal at McElhanney is that 'No One Gets Hurt' and that we provide information which will encourage you to live a healthy lifestyle", says O'Brian Blackall. "As President of McElhanney, I take the importance of safety personally. I want you to go home safely to your families at the end of the day. You and I have a shared goal; to reduce and eliminate injuries."